Volume 40, Number 30

News & Announcements

Budget and Strategic Planning Session This Afternoon... Here's a late reminder to join President Jim Peterson and the College's administrative leadership for the annual meeting to update the community on the current status of the College, the strategic plan for the future, and the operating budget for next year that will support this work. The one-hour session will start promptly at 3:30 p.m. today (Thursday, May 1) in Alumni Hall.

Final Day of Flex Benefit Enrollment Meetings Tomorrow... You can still attend Flex Benefit enrollment meetings on Friday, May 2; three sessions are scheduled on Friday in the Jackson Campus Center's Heritage Room: at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. The College has made significant medical plan design changes for the coming year in addition to changing the levels of medical premium pricing. These changes will be explained and enrollment booklets distributed at the meetings. All community members and spouses/domestic partners are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled sessions.

Local Chapter of Amnesty International Organizes... There will be an organizational/ informational meeting to start a local St. Peter chapter of Amnesty International on Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. in Olin Hall, Room 103. Steve Marquardt, the legislative coordinator for Amnesty International in Minnesota, will be the featured speaker at the meeting. Founded in London in 1961, Amnesty International is a Nobel Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with over two million members worldwide. Amnesty International is a movement of people who campaign for basic human rights to be respected and protected for everyone. The work of the organization is accomplished by mobilizing public pressure through letter writing, education, vigils and demonstrations, and lobbying of public officials. Amnesty International works on issues such as the use of torture, violence against refugees and migrants, prisoners of conscience, the death penalty, and the oppression of minority groups around the globe. If you would like more information about the meeting, or Amnesty International, contact Mike Hvidsten at 934-9117 or hvidsten@gustavus.edu.

Campus Happenings

Chapel Schedule... All are invited to the worship services at 10 a.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays in Christ Chapel. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

Student Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Honored... A new event has been added to the slate of activities surrounding Honors Day: the first annual Celebration of Creative Inquiry will be held on Friday, May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Jackson Center Banquet Rooms. Where else can you see presentations of cross-dressing Catholics and of the swarming behavior in brine shrimp, a video poetry collaboration, studies of false memories and of the Minneapolis burlesque scene, and posters on topics ranging from the effects of carbohydrates on the performance of track and field athletes, Greek tragedy, and pnp-supported hafnium complexes to foreign aid and the mystery of honeybee disappearance—and more? With nearly 100 research projects, the result of research, scholarship, and creative works of more than 120 students, the Celebration of Creative Inquiry promises to be an interesting and informative event. The presentations will feature posters illustrating the projects, with the students on hand to discuss their work. The campus community, friends, and family members are invited. Refreshments will be served. More information about this event may be found at gustavus.edu/facdev/CreativeInquiry.php.

Jazz Concert Features A Jazz Quartet and Adolphus Jazz Ensemble... Jazz dominates Jussi Björling Recital Hall on Friday, May 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m. when the Adolphus Jazz Ensemble and A Jazz Quartet appear jointly in a spring concert. The Adolphus Jazz Ensemble, one of two jazz ensembles at the College directed by Steve Wright (music), will present a program of music by contemporary composers, including Sammy Nestico, Matt Harris, and Mark Taylor. A Jazz Quartet's performance includes "Four," by the legendary Miles Davis, and also a John Coltrane piece. The concert is free and open to the public.

Senior Art Exhibition Mounted... The Hillstrom Museum of Art presents Permanent? Senior Show 2008, on view from May 3 through June 1, with an opening reception on Honors Day, Saturday, May 3, 4-7 p.m. The exhibition highlights the student careers of 12 studio art majors at Gustavus and is a culminating event in their curriculum and a required component of the major.
On display are works by Danny Blacker (Apple Valley), Stephanie Buresh (Jordan), Erin Dinsmore (Hammond, Wis.), David Goldstein (Plymouth), Whit Hohman (Roseville), Natalie Larson (White Bear Lake), Kasey Lyng (Eden Prairie), Shawna Mullen (Cambridge), Zach Newman (Minneapolis), Kelsey Plucker (Welch), Nathan Schram (Detroit Lakes), and Song Thao (St. Paul). The exhibition was selected from a group of submissions by each artist, and the jurying process was carried out by the art faculty of the College. The installation of the exhibit was executed with assistance from the students, and a number of the works on view are being offered for sale.
Regular Museum hours are weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and weekends 1-5 p.m. The exhibition and its reception are free and open to the public, and all are welcome. Further information can be found at the Museum’s website at www.gustavus.edu/oncampus/finearts/hillstrom/.

Senior Honors Recital a Tradition of Honors Day... The Department of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College will present its annual Senior Honors Recital on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. Selected by audition, six seniors will be performing in the recital: Bassoonist Jessica Gehrke opens the recital with Marcel Poot's Ballade, followed by a performance of three movements from Franz Schubert's Winterreise by Brian Fahey, baritone. Mark Wirbisky, viola, follows, playing two movements from the Sonata for Viola Solo, op. 25, no. 1 by Paul Hindemith. Clarinetist Rachel Braband then takes the stage to present the Clarinet Concerto by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, followed by 'cellist Christa Saeger's performance of the first movement of Dmitri Shostakovich's Sonata for 'Cello and Piano in D minor, op. 40. The Honors Recital concludes with a performance of Johannes Brahms's Intermezzo in A Major, op. 118, no. 2 by pianist Joel Beachey. Saturday's Senior Honors Recital is free and open to the public. A reception for the recitalists follows in the lobby of the recital hall.

Gustavus Choir Presents Home Concert... The Gustavus Choir sings its 2008 Home Concert on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The concert features guest conductor Robert Scholz and concludes the choir's annual concert tour, which included stops in Rochester; Milwaukee, Wis.; Cary, Ill.; and St. Paul. Among the selections on this year's tour programmed by guest conductor Scholz are Charles Stanford's Magnificat, Egil Hovland's The Glory of the Father, Eric Whitacre's Cloudburst, Stephen Paulus's Pilgrim's Hymn, Kenneth Jennings's The Lord is the Everlasting God, and Morten Lauridsen's Sure on This Shining Night. The concert is open to the public without charge.

Bang the Drum... The Department of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College presents the Gustavus Percussion Ensemble and Director Paul Hill on Sunday, May 4, at 1:30 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. Director Paul Hill has developed a program to showcase the variety of music written for percussion as well as compositions that have been specifically arranged for percussion ensemble. In addition to the Gustavus students in ensemble and solo performance Sunday, a number of special guests from the Janus Percussion Group, which is based in Minneapolis, will be featured throughout the concert. The concert is free and open to the public.

Interdisciplinary Seminar Scheduled... Richard Fuller (physics, emeritus) will present an interdisciplinary seminar titled "The Manhattan Project—Revisited" on Tuesday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Olin Hall, Room 220. All are invited to attend.

Greg Mason Film Retrospective... On Tuesday, May 6, at 8:30 p.m. in Confer 127, Greg Mason (English) will show two films he made early in his career at Gustavus, featuring local talent and area locations. The first film, Voices on the River (1976, 22 mins., color) evokes the history of the Minnesota River. Glimpses of the past are recaptured through authentic graphics, commentaries, and music. Past and present come together in interviews with two elderly residents. The second film, The Sandman (1981, 38 mins., black and white), is set in 19th-century Germany, though filmed locally. It is an adaptation of the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy horror tale of a young man's infatuation with a dancing doll. Enjoy the acting talents of campus legends John Rezmerski (English, emeritus), Norm Walbek (political science, emeritus), the late Elmer Suderman (English), the late Sven Langsjoen (MLLC), Phil Knautz (music, emeritus), and Will Freiert (classics). Also see Gustavus alums Bryan Poffenberger ('78), Caroline Massee ('79), and Thomas Mode ('78) and local diva Elsa Cornell ('61) on screen, and thrill to the spine-tingling commentary of Minnesota's Count Dracula, Rob Gardner (theatre, emeritus). The screening is open to the public without charge.

Entrepreneurship Lecture... On Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in SSC 101, Greg Johnson, former owner of Big Bear Farm Stores, Inc., will present a talk titled "Work for the Company, Own the Company, Sell the Company—A Life Cycle of Entrepreneurship." The program is sponsored by the Ogden and Elizabeth Confer Professorship in Entrepreneurship and the Department of Economics and Management, and is open to the public. Contact Larry Wohl (law@gustavus.edu, 933-7453) for additional information.

May Fireside Chat to Focus on What's New in Church Relations... Continual programming takes place through the Office of Church Relations at Gustavus. Join Director Grady St. Dennis on Friday, May 9, as he tells us about some of the exciting things that this office does and the resources it offers to the local area. The session will be repeated at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Lind Interpretive Center. Lunch is available for purchase, or bring your own. Questions: call Emily (x7199).

D-Ball... The community is invited to the 2008 Diversity Awards Banquet, to be held in Alumni Hall on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m. (dinner served at 6 p.m.). Tickets may be purchased from the Diversity Cetner at $10 each.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Powwow... The first annual joint Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Gustavus Adolphus College powwow will take place at the Mankato Army Reserve Armory on May 2 and 3. The Grand Entry, featuring indigenous peoples in native and ceremonial dress, is scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, and again at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Buses leave from Three Flags on May 2 at 5:30 and 6 p.m., returning at 8:30 and 9 p.m. (No drugs, no alcohol.) The event is co-sponsored by the Gustavus Dean of Students Office, the Gustavus Diversity Center, and the MSU Office of Institutional Diversity.

'High Tea' at Arts Center... Join your friends on Sunday, May 4, 3:30-5 p.m., at the Arts Center of Saint Peter (315 S. Minnesota Ave.) for "Creativi-Tea" (High Tea), the closing event of the center's current exhibition, "Women Celebrating Women: Women's Vision." Tickets are available at the center.

And a New Print Show... "Pressing Matters," a group exhibition featuring the work of print artists Brad Widness, Erik Waterkotte, Becky Carmody, Denise Friesen, Joel Hansen, Bruce McClain (art & art history), and Joel Moline, will be hosted by the Arts Center of Saint Peter (315 S. Minnesota Ave.) from May 8 to June 8. A reception for the exhibition will take place on May 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the center.

Arvonne Fraser Is Guest Author at GLA Event... Gustavus Library Associates' spring Author Day speaker, Minnesota political activist Arvonne Fraser, will discuss her recently published memoir, She’s No Lady: Politics, Family, and International Feminism, on Wednesday morning, May 14, at the Edina County Club. Fraser was heavily involved in the growing movement of American women to gain political influence and secure rights for themselves and capped her dynamic career as U.S. ambassador to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Her story will inspire and encourage anyone—male or female—who seeks a full personal and professional life. Reservations for the brunch and presentation may be made by calling the Gustavus Office of Marketing and Communication at 933-7520 by Wednesday, May 7. Cost is $20. Doors open at Edina Country Club at 9:45 a.m.

Extraordinary People

Mark Lammers (music) and Mark Kruger (psychology) had their book review of This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession (by D.J. Levitin, published by Dutton in 2006) published in the journal Psychology of Music (April 2008, Vol. 36, No. 2).

Dan Moos (education) gave a presentation at the University of Granada, Spain, on "Cognition and the Web: Information Process, Comprehension, and Learning." The international conference included participants from German, the Netherlands, the United States, Spain, England, France, and Japan and focused on research examining cognitive demands associated with learning in nonlinear environments. Student Elizabeth Marroquin provided valuable contributions to this continuing research.

Mary McHugh (classics) is the recipient of a 2008 NEH grant. She will participate in a seminar in Rome, Siena, and Assisi for six weeks this summer, studying St. Francis and the Thirteenth Century.

Tom LoFaro (MCS) presented a poster titled "Crossing the Threshold: The Role of Density Dependence and Stochasticity in the Evolution of Cooperation" at the conference "Dynamics and Topology: A Celebration of Bob Devaney's 60th Birthday," in Tossa de Mar, Spain.

Mary Solberg (religion) has been accepted as one of 14 participants in the 2008 Seminar for Seminary and Religious Studies Faculty, "Christianity and the Holocaust: Teaching the Tough Questions," scheduled for June 16-20, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the seminar will be co-taught by Victoria Barnett, director of church relations at the USHMM and general editor of the English-language complete works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Fortress Press), and Stephen Haynes, professor of religious studies, Rhodes College, and author of The Bonhoeffer Legacy: Post-Holocaust Perspectives (2006).

Student News

Sophomore communication studies majors Emma Moreau and Mary Cunningham represented Minnesota and Gustavus Adolphus College at the 136th annual Interstate Oratorical Association National Contest held in Madison, Wis., and Moreau became the first Gustavus competitor since 1974 to advance to the final round, placing fourth overall with an oration advocating for sodium regulation. Cunningham advanced to the semifinal round, making Gustavus the only school to advance two students to the semi-final round.
The Interstate Oratorical Association National Contest is the oldest annual collegiate speaking contest in the nation, dating back to 1874. Each state is allowed two participants. Twenty-four states were represented at this year's contest, and Gustavus was one of seven schools to have both students representing their respective states. Gustavus now has represented Minnesota at the IOA contest for four consecutive years.
Moreau and Cunningham's speeches will be published in Winning Orations. They also will be among the members of the Gustavus speech team delivering their award-winning presentations at the Speech Showcase, to be held on Thursday, May 15, in the Courtyard Café beginning at 7:30 p.m. ("Frost-your-owns" and other free food will be provided.)

Congregational Outreach

Retreats... The Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations Retreat Center, coordinated by the Office of Church Relations, will host a retreat for the women of Hope Lutheran Church, Jordan, Minn., on May 2-4.

Synod Assembly Representation... Grady St. Dennis (church relations) will be representing Gustavus at the Northeastern Minnesota Synod ELCA Assembly in Duluth, Minnesota, on May 2 and 3.

Funding Opps

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations' weekly program or funding opportunity highlight:

Howard Foundation Fellowships... The George A. and Eliza Howard Foundation provides fellowships to support assistant and associate professors who are engaged in independent research projects in history and philosophy during 2009-10. Stipends are $25,000 and augment paid sabbatical leaves. There are no residency requirements. Individuals must be nominated by their department chair. Applicants should have a significant record of publication beyond the dissertation. The deadline is November 10. For more information about eligibility and application materials, please see http://www.brown.edu/Divisions/Graduate_School/howard/.

For more information on grants or proposal preparation, contact Bob Weisenfeld in the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (x7049 or bweis@gustavus.edu).

In the Media

Here are some noteworthy Gustavus-related stories that recently appeared in print or broadcast media around the nation:

The Mankato Free Press printed a front-page story on April 22 about the College's $1 million science grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

KEYC-TV (Mankato) ran a story on its 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts about the HHMI grant.

Minnesota Public Radio ran a story on April 22 about the HHMI grant.

The Mankato Free Press printed a story on the front of its April 24 Valley section about the Midwest Undergraduate Geography Symposium hosted by Gustavus.

The St. Peter Herald printed stories in its April 24 edition about the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant, the senior art show at the Hillstrom Museum, and student Lisa Brown, who is biking 500 miles this summer for Habitat for Humanity.

KARE-11 (Minneapolis) ran a story on its April 24 newscasts about financial aid. Gustavus was mentioned in the story for its participation in the direct loan program.

The Star Tribune printed a story about the board announcing the election of Jack Ohle as president of the College on page two of its Metro section on April 26.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press printed a story on April 26 about Jack Ohle becoming president of the College.

The Mankato Free Press printed a story and color photo on the front page of its April 26 Valley section about Jack Ohle being named president.

KEYC-TV (Mankato) ran stories on all of its April 25 and 26 newscasts about Jack Ohle being named Gustavus president.

Minnesota Public Radio ran a story on April 25 about Jack Ohle being named president.

KEYC-TV (Mankato) ran stories on its 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts on April 25 about Gustavus’ sixth-place finish in the National Campus Energy Challenge.

KEYC ran a story on its 10 p.m. newscast on April 27 about state legislators Terry Morrow and Kathy Sheran talking to Gustavus students about homelessness and poverty.

WCCO.com, KSTP.com, KARE-11.com, Startribune.com, and PioneerPress.com all published stories on April 28 about Greek Week events at Gustavus that will raise money for Union University.

KSTP-Channel 5 ran a story on its 6 p.m. newscast about Greek Week raising money for Union University.

The Metro Lutheran printed a full-page article about Darrell Jodock’s book Covenantal Coversations in its May edition.

The Mankato Free Press printed a story on the front page of its April 28 Valley section about the MAYDAY! Conference.

The Spirit of Service, the recently published book collecting essays on faith, service, and justice in higher education edited by Brian Johnson (chaplains' office) and Carolyn O'Grady (education), was reviewed in the Easter 2008 edition of The Cresset, published by Valparaiso University.

Anyone who has suggested additions for this list, suggestions for potential future media stories, or interest in being a media source should contact Marketing and Communication (x7520 or ga_news@gustavus.edu).

Hours

For Those Planning Their Finals Studying in Advance... Here are the extended hours for the Library during finals week.

Thursday, May 22 - 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Friday, May 23 - 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Saturday, May 24 - 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sunday, May 25 - 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Monday, May 26 – 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Tuesday, May 27 - 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Plugs

For Sale: Four full bedrooms, three baths, main-floor laundry, and over 3,200 sq ft. finished! You will fall in love with the open floor plan and really value the quality construction and top-notch materials used in building. Built on a large lot with majestic oaks and maple trees, this twin home sits all alone with no association or maintenance fees. Built with maple cabinets, doors, trim, and custom-finished hardwood floors along with granite counter tops and window ledges. Surround-sound speakers and in-floor heat, as well as a master bedroom shower with full body sprays, are just a few of the extra amenities to this fabulous home. Located in upper North Mankato. E-mail jnickels@gustavus.edu or call 507-384-1912 for more information.

For Sale or Rent: 3-bedroom, 2-bath house built in 1890. All three bedrooms are on second floor. Huge detached, heated, 2-car garage plus workshop. Open floor plan includes large 30x13 living room which opens to four-seasons porch with great natural light, and 18x10 dining room. Kitchen has tons of cabinets and a new refrigerator with ice and water in the door. Partially finished basement makes a great office. Near St. Peter Library/Community Center. E-mail sommere@gustavus.edu or call 469-8574 for more information. Available for fall; $169,000, or $800/mo. to rent.

Part-time Nanny Wanted... Eric Elias (biology) and his wife, Betsy, are looking for a responsible, caring individual to come to their home in New Ulm and care for their three children (Will, 3; Iris, 2; and newborn). The position is for approximately 20 hours per week, and the schedule is regular (may have some flexibility regarding days/hours). Start date is late summer and runs indefinitely. For more information please call Eric or Betsy at 507-382-3482 (cell) or 507-359-3331 (home).

"Plugs" is maintained as a forum by which members of the Gustavus community may offer goods and services to others in the community, or seek the same from them. It is not meant to accommodate ads or announcements from area businesses such as real estate agents and retailers, although from time to time such announcements may be published when deemed to be of particular interest to the community.

The Yellow Sheet is a newsletter for Gustavus Adolphus College employees produced by the Office of Marketing and Communication. It is published weekly during the academic year (except during the week of Thanksgiving, the Christmas break, Touring Week, and the Spring and Easter breaks). Anyone may submit items by filling out an online submission form. While online, e-mail submissions are preferred, items may also be submitted typewritten on a letter-sized sheet of paper. Send "snail mail" items to: The Yellow Sheet, Office of Marketing and Communication. Items must reach the office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday before publication. The week of Nobel Conference the deadline is 4:30 p.m. Monday. For more information, contact Steve Waldhauser (ga_news@gustavus.edu or x6413).